Selfless Sacrifice

By Sarah Ali

Shanti and Sunny is still remembered and cherished by their children and family for the sacrifices they made for them. They live in their hearts and will be known by their grandchildren and future generations.


This book is in memory of my parents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Oct 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491879351

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Quotes

Chapter 1 Early Life

Chapter 2 Impromptu Decision

Chapter 3 Major Decision

Chapter 4 Seema

Chapter 5 Dealing with Life after Seema’s Death

Chapter 6 Vijanti

Chapter 7 Only for Her Children

Chapter 8 Sudden Changes

Chapter 9 London

Chapter 10 Decisions and Changes

Chapter 11 Events That Changed Everything

Conclusion

Statement

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my wonderful husband, Raja for his tremendous support and for believing in me and this book.

Introduction

T his is a story about a woman’s struggle to find love, peace, and happiness and the circumstances that surrounded her struggle. This novel shows the challenges she faced and depicts her strength, determination, and will to succeed for herself and her kids.

T he meaning of her name, Shanti, is ‘peace’.

Quotes

In order for progress in life, you have to make changes.

By Shanti

Chapter 1

Early Life

S hanti was born to a very poor family in the West Indies in 1956, and she was the first child of thirteen children born to her parents in the Falklands of Trinidad. Her parents, who then lived in the carat house (a house made of dry branches and mud), gardened for a living, and her father worked for the local council. At a very young age, Shanti was given responsibilities like that of a parent and had to help her mother bring up her sisters and brothers. She would cook the meals, wash the clothes, get her sisters and brothers ready for school, and do many other household chores.

H er father was a very strict man who used to beat her and her siblings severely if they did not listen to him or went against his wishes. Her mother did not say anything to him about the ill treatment of the children because she was bound by her husband and his demands. She knew he was unfaithful to her, and this caused her to be very agitated when she listened to him and he did not give the children as much attention as they needed.

S hanti’s situation frustrated her because she had to help take care of her siblings and herself until she was sixteen. There were so many ups and downs. She was an ambitious young woman who wanted a lot more out of life, and her aspiration while at school was to become a nurse. But on the day of her qualifying exams, her mother stopped her from taking them. During her teenage years, she learnt sewing and stitching and did very well. She was very talented and creative, and she learned crafts easily. She learned how to crochet, make string art and use Plaster of Paris moulds to make sculptures, stitch purses, knit, and sew. She also learnt how to make flower pot hangers; she was a very stylish woman and sewed her own clothes. These talents would be a great benefit to her in the future.

S hanti began to work in a studio because she had a passion for photography and had taken many photos herself. She really enjoyed working there, but that did not last very long.

Chapter 2

Impromptu Decision

O ne day while working at the photo studio, a man came to see her. He went into the studio and asked her the price of a photo, but he was clearly focused on her. The man, named Sunny, later went to her parents and asked for her hand in marriage. She was not keen on marrying him because it was the gentleman’s second marriage and he was thirteen years older than her, but the pressure building up at home led her to make a decision. Her parents wanted to get her married but expressed their wishes that they did not want her to marry Sunny